By Otsile Kadiege 

AMG – these three letters have stood for top automotive performance, exclusivity and high driving dynamics worldwide for 55 years now. Now known as Mercedes-AMG, the sports car and performance brand is celebrating its 55th anniversary with one of Mercedes-Benz’s vehicles that needs no introduction and has a cult following worldwide – the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. 

Edition 55 exterior styling 
The Mercedes-AMG G63 “Edition 55” is available in obsidian black metallic or G manufaktur opalite white bright paint. The colours on both sides of the vehicle are coordinated with the AMG emblem and the suggested AMG rhombus. 
It’s riding on 22-inch AMG forged wheels in a cross-spoke design with a matt tantalum grey paint finish and a high-sheen rim flange, as well as the AMG Night Package and the AMG Night package II. The fuel filler cap in silver chrome with AMG lettering also bears witness to great attention to detail.

Edition 55 interior styling
The interior is characterised by the contrast of black and red. Stainless steel door sill trims with red illuminated AMG lettering welcome the driver. To match, the black AMG floor mats made of high-quality velour feature red contrasting stitching and “Edition 55” lettering woven in red. 

The AMG Performance steering wheel in Dinamica microfibre also commemorates the anniversary with the “AMG” and “55” badges, making the special model an exclusive collector’s item. The AMG seats in specific design are upholstered in two-tone nappa leather in classic red/black. The exclusive ambience of the interior is rounded off by the AMG trim elements in matt carbon.

The scope of delivery includes a customised AMG Indoor Car Cover. With its breathable outer skin made of tear-resistant synthetic fibre fabric and antistatic inner fabric made of flannel, it protects the vehicle in the garage from dust and scratches.

Performance
The G63 Edition 55 is still powered by a 4.0 litre V8 biturbo engine. It generates 430 kW and 850 Nm. This allows the G63 to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. Although we were not on the race track with the G63, the power is felt in the acceleration notwithstanding the size of this beast. An AMG Speedshift TCT 9G Transmission is used in the G63. Mercedes-Benz has bequeathed it with a model-specific software application to achieve very short shift times.

Mercedes-Benz South Africa is yet to confirm local availability and pricing.